Embroidered felt mandala pendant tutorial

The craft that asks for silence

The description said “meditation craft” for a reason — these are the February project, when the light is bad and hands want something repetitive. Concentric stitched rings over layered felt medallions: the one felt craft that looks more complicated than it is.

Supplies

Cut the medallion stack

Three felt discs stacked descending: 2.5 inches, 1.75 inches, 1 inch, in three coordinated colors. Cut each one slightly imperfect and the pendant gains the hand-worked charm a compass symmetrical cutting removes. The stack glues with a small bead of fabric glue at each layer’s center — this keeps the layers from sliding while you stitch.

The stitching system

Weight-8 embroidery floss, one strand. Ring one: blanket stitch around the top disc’s edge, keeping stitches close (12-14 to the inch) so it reads as a solid ridge from a distance. Ring two: chain stitch just inside the first. From here, invent freely — every other motif (french knot centers, lazy-daisy petals radiating outward, running-stitch halos) is fair game and no two pendants I made match.

The rhythm

The point of mandala stitching is pace: three knots, a ring, breathe, repeat. Don’t chase perfection on the first ring — the unevenness is what makes the finished medallion read handmade instead of stamped.

Turning medallion to pendant

A 6mm jump ring pierces the medallion’s top edge directly; stitch a few wraps around the ring’s curve with matching floss to lock it. Chain it on — or on cord for the bohemian version that photographs best. Felt + floss + jump ring doesn’t ask for beading wire or findings: stitches and metal rings are the entire hardware.

Uses beyond necklaces

Skip the jump ring: sew the medallion flat as a barrette topper, a hair elastic medallion, or — the current toddler-house favorite — a “sunset” medallion glued to a headband in orange and dusty pink. One motif, four accessories, zero waste from the stack.